| Project by bobasaurus | posted 1152 days ago | 4876 views | 8 times favorited | 33 comments |  |
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Here is my first try at making an Andy-style art box, following his great set of tutorials (available here). Since I don’t own a router table, I made the top into a square piece that sets into the regular box opening (someday I’ll have to try the nice rounded-rabbet recessed style). I think the box came out pretty well, despite a few small fumbles. The miters are tight, and the gaps at the ends of the splines are small despite using just a regular blade. The lid fits nicely into the main box, though there is a small gap at the back of the medallion. I doweled the handle into place and hand-chiseled the matching mortise in the box base. The base and handle are walnut, with hard/silver maple for the top and splines, and a padauk insert. The finish is four coats of glossy wipe-on poly applied with cheesecloth. I wrapped velvet around some 1/8” shelf-backing material for the bottom inside the box.
I’m not sure if I like the overall color balance. I forgot to buy enough walnut for both the box and the top, so I made the top from the medallion piece (maple) and did the padauk medallion instead. I’ll have to be more aware of this the next time I make a trip to the sawmill.
I built some of Andy’s jigs to help make this project. Here is the pivoting stop block jig on my miter saw:
My 10” blade can just barely cut through the 3.5” board on the 1/2” mdf.
Here is the pyramid-o-mdf for routing the medallion recession:
I apologize for my horrible picture-taking. No matter what I tried, it either came out too yellow or out of focus. Shiny objects are a hard thing to photograph.
I gave this box as a present to our secretary at work, and she really liked it. Hopefully I won’t get orders for more. Thanks a lot for your art box instructions, Andy. I learned quite a bit through this project, and have an increased desire to buy more tools (dang, I thought I quelled that urge).
Edit: Here are some more pictures my coworker took with his awesome digital SLR camera. They really bring out the proper color of the woods.
http://imgur.com/KvSpd.jpg
http://imgur.com/Vow9k.jpg
http://imgur.com/1JOJW.jpg
http://imgur.com/1XHlW.jpg
http://imgur.com/v4t8C.jpg
http://imgur.com/0LWmg.jpg
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33 comments so far
CharlieM1958
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14847 posts in 2385 days
#1 posted 1152 days ago
Very, very cool. Andy will be proud!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
woodworm
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14104 posts in 1757 days
#2 posted 1152 days ago
Very nice box – build & finish. I like the color contrast.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
mmh
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3034 posts in 1889 days
#3 posted 1152 days ago
I really LOVE the vibrant contrast of the Padauk with maple and walnut. It’s very striking and a very impressive piece for a first time project.
Feel free to send your rejects my way!
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe
WistysWoodWorkingWonders
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11511 posts in 1324 days
#4 posted 1152 days ago
very nice work… I think you can take the “attempt” word out of the title… and perhaps add successful build of….
Looks great…
-- New Project = New Tool... it's just the way it is, don't fight it... :)
bobasaurus
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685 posts in 1351 days
#5 posted 1152 days ago
Thanks for the comments. I’m looking forward to making another art box using the skills I’ve learned. I think it would be fun to try a more complex carving on the top, like some waves or a spiral. It may be time to invest in a router table and planer to make my life easier (and safer).
majeagle1
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1382 posts in 1663 days
#6 posted 1152 days ago
Beautiful job Allen, and congrats on completing one of “Andy’s” boxes.
Like Charlie said, Andy will be proud !
Someday I’ll tackle one as well….........
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Monty Queen
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1568 posts in 1419 days
#7 posted 1152 days ago
Awesome job on your box, i know Andy will be proud it looks fantastic.
-- Monty Q, Columbia, South Carolina.
Ken90712
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12660 posts in 1355 days
#8 posted 1151 days ago
Great Job! 1st time huh? Sweeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
dustbunny
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1148 posts in 1462 days
#9 posted 1151 days ago
Nice job, it looks solid and well crafted. Beautiful : )
I think you should take orders for these,
make some money, and invest it into a router.
Just a thought….
Lisa
-- Imagination rules the world. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~ http://quiltedwood.com
Jonathan55
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14 posts in 1506 days
#10 posted 1151 days ago
Good job!
jayjay
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639 posts in 1213 days
#11 posted 1151 days ago
That turned out very nice, You did a great job on that.
-- ~Jason~ , Albuquerque NM
shopmania
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639 posts in 1349 days
#12 posted 1151 days ago
Great looking box!
-- Tim, Myrtle Beach, DrTim@ONeillChiro.com- Just one more tool, that's all I need! :)
Jason
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628 posts in 1675 days
#13 posted 1151 days ago
I think it turned out great.
-- Jason - Colorado Springs
Michael Murphy
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448 posts in 1172 days
#14 posted 1151 days ago
Very nice!
-- Michael Murphy, Woodland, CA.
abie
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433 posts in 1938 days
#15 posted 1151 days ago
We all see our faults more than others..
Nice job and without your telling us I think it is spectacular.
Nice job.
BT
-- Bruce. a mind is like a book it is only useful when open.
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